By Nathalie Belkin, Lead Processor; Gabriella Carl-Johnson, Kay Menick, Sara Fetherolf, Erin Allsop, Jessica Mack, and Katie Alleman, Interns
Title: Architectural Drawings and Blueprints, c. 1880s-1990s
Predominant Dates:1910-1930s
Extent: 0.0
Subjects: A. Faranda and Son, Acea family, Agoglia family, Altar to Liberty: Minerva, Architectural Drawings, Architecture, Arnold, K.F., Arnold, N.B., Arnold family, Art nouveau (Architecture), Bahrenburg, John H., Bahrenburg family, Barclay family, Barrow, ME James T., Barrow family, Barthman family, Beaux-Arts architecture, Benisch Bros. Monumental Works, Blueprints, Bourne family, Bromell family, Brown, John W., Brown family, Buildings--Design and construction, C.E. Tayntor & Co., Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cinerary urns, Colyer family, Cushman, Eugene, Cutting, James D.W., Cutting family, Daly, Margaret, Daly family, Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors, de Aldama family, DeLaCour and Ferrara, Delafield, Major Rich D., Delafield family, Dewey family, Doerschuck family, Dunne family, Egyptian revival (Architecture), Euler family, Farrington, Gould and Hoagland, Feitner, John, Felzmann family, Flagg, Ernest, Gilbert family, Goodnough family, Gothic revival (Architecture), Gould, J. R, Gould, James S., Gould family, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y., Greve family, Griswold family, Hapgood family, Harder family, Harrison Granite Co., Havemeyer family, Heins and La Farge Architects, Higgins, Charles, Higgins family, Hillside architecture, Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders, Horn, Alfred E., Horn family, Howland family, John Thatcher & Son, Kampfe family, Kenneth, W.D., Lawrence family, Lingard family, Ludlum, Emma R., Ludlum family, Martin, Robert, Martin family, Mausoleums, McAlpin family, Murdock family, Obelisks, Parish family, Parsons family, Penn Brass and Bronze Works, Pitbladdo Monumental Works, Polak family, Presbrey-Coykendall Company, Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker, Reynolds family, Riley family, Ritzheimer family, Robinson, F. Delancey, Romanesque architecture, Rosanelli family, Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942, Sands family, Sarcophagi, Sculpture and architecture, Sepulchral chapels, Sepulchral monuments, Victorian, Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York, Sepulchral monuments--United States, Sepulchral monuments industry, Smallman, Thomas F., Smallman family, Somers family, Stephens, Annie W., Stephens, Benjamin F., Stephens family, Stevenson family, Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders, Sullivan, John W., Sullivan family, Texter family, Tiefel family, Tombs & sepulchral monuments, Torrio, Johnny, Torrio Family, Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects, Underground architecture, Upjohn, Hobart, VanRensselaer family, Vaults (Sepulchral), W.F. Benedict & Son, W.W. Leland Co. Inc., Walsh, James F., Warren & Wetmore, Wesselman family, Wood family, Woolley family
Languages: English
The Architectural Drawings and Blueprints collection contains over 150 separate series of designs, each of which has one to around 20 individual drawings. Each series represents designs for a mausoleum or other architectural feature at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Most of the designs are for private family mausoleums, although the collection also includes blueprint materials for the historic Green-Wood chapel designed by Warren & Wetmore, alterations made to the Fifth Avenue gate, and plans for the mid-twentieth-century Columbarium. Other notable features in the collection include the Higgins mausoleum series, which contains photographs and early designs of the famous Battle Hill monument Altar to Liberty: Minerva by sculptor F. Wellington Ruxell. Many additional series may include more famous names in New York City history, such as those for the Cooper-Hewitt family and the Torrio family.
The majority of these drawings are printed on large blueprint paper, although there are a significant number of series that contain original drawings on tracing paper or drafting linen, as well as prints on Mylar, photocopy paper, or other reproduction materials. Many series also contain specifications documents—legal agreements between the architectural firm and the cemetery, which outline the plans, materials, and workman regulations for construction. In some cases, there is additional material, such as correspondence with lot owners and alternate mausoleum designs.
The collection’s dates range from the 1880s to the 1990s; the majority of the mausoleum designs were created between 1910 and 1930, at a time when it was widely popular among upper-class families to have a mausoleum or vault in which to inter their deceased relatives. Many architects of the time specialized in mausoleum design. Architectural firms that produced a large number of mausoleum designs in this collection include the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, John Feitner Architects, and the Harrison Granite Company.
Researchers may wish to consult a specific series, which can give an interesting insight into the family in question, or they may wish to look at multiple series in the collection, in order to gain an example of the way construction and design aesthetics changed over time. The collection is a particularly valuable example of the way cemetery architecture developed in its golden years, particularly because many of the wealthiest and most prestigious New York families chose to be interred at Green-Wood.
The collection is currently stored in two locations—some material is in the Green-Wood archives, while many other blueprints are kept in the surveyor’s office of the administrative building. The container list has additional information on each item in this significant and highly variable collection, including notes on the date of designs, the architectural firm that created the drawings, and information on the size, condition, markings, and design features of each piece. All blueprint materials have been scanned and are digitally available; a preview of the image file is attached to each item. High-resolution images of each scan are available upon request.
The material is in varying condition, and embrittled drawings have been encapsulated in Mylar to ensure preservation.
The Green-Wood archives hold additional records acquired from the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company relating to Green-Wood Cemetery, and researchers may find it useful to consult this collection in conjunction with the Architectural Drawings and Blueprints.
A. Faranda and Son
Acea family
Agoglia family
Altar to Liberty: Minerva
Architectural Drawings
Architecture
Arnold, K.F.
Arnold, N.B.
Arnold family
Art nouveau (Architecture)
Bahrenburg, John H.
Bahrenburg family
Barclay family
Barrow, ME James T.
Barrow family
Barthman family
Beaux-Arts architecture
Benisch Bros. Monumental Works
Blueprints
Bourne family
Bromell family
Brown, John W.
Brown family
Buildings--Design and construction
C.E. Tayntor & Co.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cinerary urns
Colyer family
Cushman, Eugene
Cutting, James D.W.
Cutting family
Daly, Margaret
Daly family
Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors
de Aldama family
DeLaCour and Ferrara
Delafield, Major Rich D.
Delafield family
Dewey family
Doerschuck family
Dunne family
Egyptian revival (Architecture)
Euler family
Farrington, Gould and Hoagland
Feitner, John
Felzmann family
Flagg, Ernest
Gilbert family
Goodnough family
Gothic revival (Architecture)
Gould, J. R
Gould, James S.
Gould family
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Greve family
Griswold family
Hapgood family
Harder family
Harrison Granite Co.
Havemeyer family
Heins and La Farge Architects
Higgins, Charles
Higgins family
Hillside architecture
Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders
Horn, Alfred E.
Horn family
Howland family
John Thatcher & Son
Kampfe family
Kenneth, W.D.
Lawrence family
Lingard family
Ludlum, Emma R.
Ludlum family
Martin, Robert
Martin family
Mausoleums
McAlpin family
Murdock family
Obelisks
Parish family
Parsons family
Penn Brass and Bronze Works
Pitbladdo Monumental Works
Polak family
Presbrey-Coykendall Company
Presbrey-Leland Monument Company
Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker
Reynolds family
Riley family
Ritzheimer family
Robinson, F. Delancey
Romanesque architecture
Rosanelli family
Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942
Sands family
Sarcophagi
Sculpture and architecture
Sepulchral chapels
Sepulchral monuments, Victorian
Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York
Sepulchral monuments--United States
Sepulchral monuments industry
Smallman, Thomas F.
Smallman family
Somers family
Stephens, Annie W.
Stephens, Benjamin F.
Stephens family
Stevenson family
Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders
Sullivan, John W.
Sullivan family
Texter family
Tiefel family
Tombs & sepulchral monuments
Torrio, Johnny
Torrio Family
Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects
Underground architecture
Upjohn, Hobart
VanRensselaer family
Vaults (Sepulchral)
W.F. Benedict & Son
W.W. Leland Co. Inc.
Walsh, James F.
Warren & Wetmore
Wesselman family
Wood family
Woolley family
Scale: 1” = 1'
Details: The entrance to this mausoleum is reached by a set of three stairs. Each door features a narrow window that is protected by grille work, with decorative panels below the windows. Thick Doric columns with simple capitals frame the entryway. The family name “HUBER SCHLACHTER” decorates the frieze; each letter is polished and raised 4.5 inches. Carved leaves and a cross leaning to the right fill the pediment.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner. The grade line is indicated and measurements are provided for the the height and width of the mausoleum.
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple and brad holes at the top and rips along the right and bottom edges. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the right side of the mausoleum, with the building’s front facing the left edge of the plan. The sides are solid and have small vents near the base and roof of the building.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: See Item A in this series.
Condition: Slightly embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the rear of the mausoleum. An art glass window is cut near the roof, extending through the first course and into half of the second.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Art glass.
Notes/Markings: See Item A in this series.
Condition: Somewhat embrittled with staple and brad holes along the top edge.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the back half of the mausoleum. There is enough room for six catacombs, three on either side of the vestibule, and a rear window. Dimensions are provided for the foundation, walls, roof, shelves, tablet, and height from floor to ceiling.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Rubble stone, brick, slate, marble, bronze.
Notes/Markings: This plan contains a lot of notes. Beginning with the foundation, the notes include: “All foundation work to be rubble stone;” “Foundation under floor 1’-6”;” and “8” brick wall 8’-4” in length.” The entryway contains the notes, “All exposed surfaces of marble polished” and “Wainscot 2” thick.” In regard to the catacombs, the backs and dividers are made of slate and “catacomb tablets 1 ¼” marble.” There is a “bronze rod to support ceiling” and the ceiling is “1 ½” marble.” Vents, tenons, and air spaces are also noted. A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner.
Condition: Somewhat embrittled throughout with staple and brad holes along the top edge.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the interior of the mausoleum as if the viewer were standing in front of the right side and looking in. The stairs, column, and doorway are shown, as are three catacombs and the rear window. The construction underground is also shown. Dimensions are provided for various features, including roof, walls, door, and catacombs.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Bronze, marble.
Notes/Markings: “Foundation under main walls 6’-0” deep;” “Foundation under floor 1’-6” deep;” “1 ⅛” square holes to receive bronze rosettes;” “Bronze rosettes on each tablet;” “Marble ceiling in two pieces;” “Bronze rod.” Black pen marks cross out the word “vent” at the bottom of the plan. A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner.
Condition: Somewhat embrittled with staple holes along the top.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: This plan provides an aerial view of the mausoleum within the lot. It is situated at the corner of Corylus Path and another path (the full name of the second path is not provided). The center line [“centre line”] of the mausoleum, along with dimensions of the building and the lot, are indicated.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner. On the reverse, written in pencil, is the note, “34423” and the number 16 with a circle around it. “Huber” is written beneath the lot number in black ink.
Condition: Somewhat embrittled with staple holes along the top and a small rip at the lower left corner. The lower third of the reverse is discolored, and the top two-thirds is smudged with dirt and fingerprints.
Scale: ½” = 1’
Details: This plan is the same as Item F, except this plan has pencil markings beneath the scale and has a large rip extending down from the top toward the left edge. This plan does not include a stamp of approval.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: “34423” is written in pencil on the reverse.
Condition: Embrittled with staple holes and a large rip along the top. There are small tears along the right edge and the lower left corner is creased and beginning to tear. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan outlines the mausoleum and provides its dimensions.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Earth.
Notes/Markings: A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner.
Condition: Somewhat embrittled with staple holes along the top edge and small rips along the bottom.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan is similar to Item H, except this plan does not include a stamp of approval and contains pencil markings outlining the front porch and entryway.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: On the reverse, written in pencil, is the note, “Huber 34423.”
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes along the top and rips along the left, top, and right edges. Both of the lower corners are creased. The reverse is discolored. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan provides an aerial view of the mausoleum, complete with materials needed and dimensions for every element, including columns, entryway, vestibule, walls, and catacombs.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Granite, marble, slate, bronze.
Notes/Markings: A stamp of approval, dated and signed by Superintendent Grassau, is located in the lower right corner.
Condition: Slightly embrittled throughout with staple holes along the top small rips at the bottom.
Details: This plan is an aerial view of the mausoleum, with the front steps facing the top of the plan and the back of the building near the bottom edge. The grade line is indicated, dimensions of the interior are given, and granite pillars are noted.
Drawing Material: Pencil on tracing paper.
Materials Noted: Rubble.
Notes/Markings: “Huber-Schlachter” is written in pencil in the upper left corner. Stamped in the lower right corner: “Lavery Granite Co., / 103 Park Avenue / New York City”.
Condition: Extremely wrinkled and very fragile. A 2 ½” x 1” section of the right edge is missing. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This plan shows construction underground.
Drawing Material: Pencil on tracing paper.
Materials Noted: Rubble.
Notes/Markings: Stamped in the lower right corner: “Lavery Granite Co., / 103 Park Avenue / New York City”. Written in pencil at the bottom of the plan: “Right and left side the same.”
Condition: Wrinkled and very fragile. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This plan shows construction underground.
Drawing Material: Pencil on tracing paper.
Materials Noted: Rubble.
Notes/Markings: Stamped in the lower right corner: “Lavery Granite Co., / 103 Park Avenue / New York City”.
Condition: Wrinkled and very fragile with staple holes at the top and small sections missing from the right edge. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This is a preliminary sketch showing construction underground as seen from the right side of the mausoleum.
Drawing Material: Pencil on tracing paper.
Materials Noted: Granite, rubble, concrete.
Notes/Markings: This plan has a lot of notes, including the material needed for the steps, floor, and foundation. Near the bottom of the plan is the note: “Top of concrete under floor to be 3-0 feet above back foundation and one foot above front foundation which front / buttress rests on.” Lavery Granite Co.’s stamp is near the right edge, and the name of the vault is written in pencil along the bottom.
Condition: Very wrinkled, especially on the left and right edges, with small sections missing on all four edges.Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This is a preliminary sketch showing construction underground (primarily excavation).
Drawing Material: Pencil on tracing paper.
Notes/Markings: The lower line of the building and the low level of the lot are indicated.
Condition: Three deep creases run vertically throughout the plan, with smaller creases at three of the four corners. There is a small tear caused by a crease at the center of the top edge. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This 4-page document contains instructions regarding the construction of the mausoleum and the materials to be used.
Materials Noted: Rubble stone, Vermont gray granite, La Farge non-staining cement, fine sharp sand, stained glass, leaded glass, light veined Italian marble, White cement, bronze, Pennsylvania ribbon slate.
Notes/Markings: Each page is stamped, dated, and signed by W.C.G. [William C. Grassau, superintendent of Green-Wood.]
Condition: Fair. There are small stains and slight discolorations throughout the document.